Broadway in Chicago, in conjunction with Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy, present MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. Once upon a time, a man had a dream. He wanted to make music. He wasn’t content with being a songwriter. He wanted to have a bigger impact. He wasn’t just about launching his music career. He was about ...
Given the option: Look up, not down!
On Friday, we had a wellness speaker from the Ravenswood Chiropractic and Wellness Center. He was enthralling. He said in the #4 spot for leading causes of death in the U.S.A. behind heart disease, cancer and diabetes was physician related. In other words, people’s propensity to get the quick fix (cut it off, drug me ...
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day! I spent yesterday hanging out with my mom. We hung out on her screen porch. And then we hung out at Jenny’s house. And then we hung out again on her screen porch. I’m blessed! Mother’s Day is the annual reminder to be thankful for the woman that birthed you, the person that ...
I’m over here!
Sue James emailed me yesterday and asked, “Why did Serenity April turn into Manic May?” I quickly assured her I was fine but my blog was terminal. I got notice last week that the Blogcast product I have been using since December 31st was terminating operations as of June 25th. Oh no! And that when it went ...
Review “The Next Thing”: Perfect Chick Flick
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the World Premiere of THE NEXT THING. This play is a romantic comedy. Two film actors loathe each other. Their chemistry on screen binds them together in a multiple picture deal. There is romance. There is comedy. This play could be a summer rom-com blockbuster movie. The light-hearted frolic is the perfect chick-flick ...
EXTENDED THRU June 29 “In the Garden” (Lookingglass Theatre): Evolving Love
Lookingglass Theatre presents the World Premiere IN THE GARDEN: A DARWINIAN LOVE STORY. Believing in evolution is key to the enjoyment of this play about Charles and Emma Darwin’s marriage. He is a scientist. She is a unitarian. Playwright Sara Gmitter uses heavy-duty narratives to establish their viewpoints. Andrew White (Darwin) talks like a science textbook. Rebecca ...
Having the right touch
So, I’ve been on a loving touch spree for the past week or actually over two weeks. I didn’t read the fine print in my “How to Train a Wild Elephant” book. Use loving hands and a loving touch, even with inanimate objects. I inadvertently skipped over the P.S. so I decided to do this exercise over. Last ...
Review “Juno” (TimeLine Theatre): Tis Grand(y) Altogether
Timeline Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of JUNO. This is only the second musical produced in Timeline’s history. Knowing the critics shut down the 1959 Broadway premiere after 16 performances, JUNO is a gutsy choice for Timeline. The company is new to musicals. The musical is new to Chicago. The story, based on the play Juno and the Paycock by Sean O’Casey, ...
The Blonde Advantage
The Roaring 20s Book Club met on Wednesday to discuss our latest read, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” It was written by Anita Loos . She gave birth to the character of Lorelei while on a train. Loos, a screenwriter, was traveling with a Hollywood crew. She observed that despite her small frame, she was allowed to lug ...
Review “How to Succeed” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Infectious Fun
Porchlight Music Theatre presents HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Initially, I wondered if this 1961 Award-winning musical was outdated. A guy goes from the mailroom to the executive wing in a wink and a jingle. Even for a musical, the shtick was over-the-top buffoonery. My skepticism started waning during the musical number Coffee Break. By Paris ...